NBA News Today: Joel Embiid being slowed down by plantar fascitiis; Steve Nash proud of Ben Simmons' performance against Raptors and more | October 22, 2022
Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers are off to a rough (0-2) start to their 2022-23 NBA season. Embiid has struggled with his shooting, and Sixers coach Doc Rivers has the perfect excuse, saying that Embiid is being slowed down by plantar fascitiis.
Meanwhile, Steve Nash is proud of Ben Simmons following his performance against the Toronto Raptors. Simmons had a stinker debut for the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday but bounced back in the win over Toronto.
On that note, here's a look at the latest NBA news today (October 22) brought to you by Sportskeeda:
Kawhi Leonard, John Wall unlikely to play against Sacramento Kings
Kawhi Leonard and John Wall came off the bench in the LA Clippers' season opener on Thursday against the LA Lakers. The Clippers are managing both players very carefully. Leonard is coming off a serious knee injury, while Wall sat out the entire 2021-22 season.
According to Mark Medina of NBA.com, Leonard and Wall will miss the Clippers' game on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings. That was expected, as it's the first game of a back-to-back. The Clippers will face the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
Leonard made his season debut midway through the second quarter of the Clippers' 103-97 win over the Lakers. He had 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes. Wall had 15 points, four rebounds and three assists on his Clippers debut.
Joel Embiid being slowed down by plantar fascitiis
Joel Embiid is averaging just 20.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the first two games of the season. The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a 0-2 start, losing to the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. The Sixers entered the season with championship aspirations, but for that, Embiid has to play better.
Sixers coach Doc Rivers told reporters after his team's loss to the Bucks on Thursday that Embiid is recovering from plantar fascitiis. Rivers said that the two-time NBA MVP runner-up has been dealing with the injury before training camp, which affected his conditioning.
"He had a little plantar fasciitis before the season started," Rivers said. "Before training camp, and that took him off his conditioning program. And so he's back on that. But listen, he's playing with the right intentions. He just didn't play well, and that's OK, too. That's going to happen. We've still got to win those games."
Chet Holmgren signs deal with Nike
Chet Holmgren will miss the entire 2022-23 season due to a foot injury. He suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot while playing in a pro-am game in Seattle during the offseason. Despite his expected absence, Holmgren has signed a contract with Nike.
ESPN's Nick DePaula first reported Holmgren's deal with Nike. The No. 2 pick from this year's NBA draft is joining his OKC Thunder teammate, Josh Giddey, in the Nike family. Giddey signed his deal just last month.
Holmgren is not the only player from his draft class to sign with Nike, though. DePaula said that 13 other rookies have joined the Nike family. They are Jaden Ivey, Shaedon Sharpe, Jeremy Sochan, Jalen Duren, Ochai Agbaji, AJ Griffin, Tari Eason, David Roddy, Wendell Moore Jr., Patrick Baldwin Jr., TyTy Washington Jr., Andrew Nembhard and Jaden Hardy.
OFFICIAL — Nike’s Rookie signings are:
• Chet Holmgren
• Jaden Ivey
• Shaedon Sharpe
• Jeremy Sochan
• Jalen Duren
• Ochai Agbaji
• AJ Griffin
• Tari Eason
• David Roddy
• Wendell Moore Jr.
• Patrick Baldwin Jr.
• TyTy Washington Jr.
• Andrew Nembhard
• Jaden Hardy https://t.co/FMLlViEvsx
Steve Nash praises Ben Simmons' performance against Raptors
Ben Simmons was very poor onhis debut for the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans. He had four points, five rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes and was limited after fouling out in the Nets' 130-108 loss.
The three-time NBA All-Star was much better in his second game for the Nets on Friday, though. He almost had a triple-double with six points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
Nets coach Steve Nash had nothing but praise for Simmons in his postgame interview, saying:
"A step up for Ben," Nash said. "From the jump he was more aggressive. He got in the paint, every time he gets in the paint he causes problems. ... He's starting to show the player he can be. I still think he's got ways to go, so really proud of him. He shook off the first night, and I thought he was much more aggressive in an important game for us."
NBA Results on October 21
It was a very busy Friday night in the NBA, with 11 games on the schedule. Reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic had his first triple-double of the season in a win over defending NBA champions Golden State Warriors.
The Utah Jazz might not be tanking after all following another victory, this time over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard was back with a vintage performance in the Portland Trail Blazers' overtime win against the Phoenix Suns. Elsewehere, the Boston Celtics got their second win of the season in their Eastern Conference finals rematch with the Miami Heat.
Ja Morant played like an MVP in the Memphis Grizzlies' victory over the Houston Rockets. The New Orleans Pelicans were impressive once again, beating the Charlotte Hornets for their second straight win to start the season.
Here are all the NBA results on October 21:
- Washington Wizards def. Chicago Bulls 102-100
- New Orleans Pelicans def. Charlotte Hornets 124-112
- San Antonio Spurs def. Indiana Pacers 137-134
- Brooklyn Nets def. Toronto Raptors 109-105
- Boston Celtics def. Miami Heat 111-104
- New York Knicks def. Detroit Pistons 130-106
- Atlanta Hawks def. Orlando Magic 108-98
- Utah Jazz def. Minnesota Timberwolves 132-126 OT
- Memphis Grizzlies def. Houston Rockets 129-122
- Portland Trail Blazers def. Phoenix Suns 113-111 OT
- Denver Nuggets def. Golden State Warriors 128-123